The former Brexit Secretary David Davis warned today that, vaccine passports might be illegal and that firms trying to implement such a scheme, may find themselves in court.
Cabinet Secretary Michael Gove is heading up research into whether the government can introduce a Covid Status Certification scheme, to allow the economy to reopen faster.
The documents would provide a formal record of whether someone has had a vaccine or if they have recently tested positive for the virus. Speaking in Westminster this morning, Davis told MP’s that such a policy would result in indirect discrimination. “That’s illegal,” he said.
He went on to say that legal action would be inevitable. Davis was giving evidence to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee. He said;
“Now, the reasons against domestics passports, there are many, but let me pick off a few. Firstly, the impact of this would be discriminatory. Under the law it will be indirectly discriminatory and that is illegal.
You may well find it has been said that black and ethnic minority communities are less inclined to get vaccinated, well that would be an indirect discrimination. You have heard that younger people may not get vaccinated, that would be a discrimination.
Some people have ethical or religious objections. We have heard about the fears that various animal products may be used [in vaccines], worrying some religious groups.”
Davis conformed that he had had his first jab.
Earlier, Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed that it is the government’s intention to introduce legislation to make it compulsory for care home workers to have a covid vaccine.
